Housing without harming the countryside

After the economy, the number one worry people have talked to me about on the doorstep is development. Hundreds of new houses are being built on the edges of villages like Harrietsham, Lenham, Langley as well as around Faversham and Maidstone. There are also plans for a 'garden village' around Lenham Heath.

Many young people are struggling to buy a home, and with more people living longer and living apart, we do need more homes. But we must keep the numbers manageable, build in the right places and in the right way, invest in infrastructure like roads and schools, and make sure decisions are made locally. It’s about getting the balance right; we must look after what we’ve got and give the next generation the chance to own a home.

News

"Don't concrete over Kent" My message to Housing Secretary

I met the Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick, last week to raise concerns from constituents and local councillors about the number of new houses being built in Kent.

People feel strongly about housing, and rightly so.

North Street ‘garden community’ needs to be rejected

I’ve called on Swale Borough Council to reject plans to build 5,000 new houses at North Street.

The development is being considered for inclusion in Swale’s new Local Plan, which will set out where new homes should be built in the borough between 2022-2038.

Maidstone Local Plan must reduce traffic

Reducing congestion on roads needs to be the focus for our new Local Plan in Maidstone.

The new Local Plan will set out planning policy in Maidstone for the next 20 years and should focus on improving quality of life for local people.

East Kent Recycling needs to stick to the rules

I was disappointed by the decision to give the go ahead for the expansion of East Kent Recycling’s plant at Oare Creek. I was strongly opposed to the development along with the town council, parish council, and local people.

I will continue to oppose Woodcut Farm development

I am disappointed that outline planning permission for an industrial development has been granted for Woodcut Farm by Maidstone Borough Council’s Planning Committee by a 7-5 majority.

No more houses without investment in infrastructure

Sajid Javid has announced changes to the way planning authorities calculate how many homes they need to build in their area.

For Maidstone these changes mean an increase in the housing target from 883 to 1,236 more houses a year, for Swale it's going up from 776 to 1,054 .

I've called a halt to Maidstone's Local Plan

I am very worried about Maidstone’s Local Plan. I have urged Maidstone Council and the Planning Inspector himself to make changes, but they have just steamrollered on. I wish we could have solved this locally, but we’re running out of time.

Woodcut farm rejected again

I am pleased that Woodcut Farm will be protected from a development that would have ruined the countryside around Leeds Castle, after Councillors stuck by the decision to reject the planning application.